Tell about an experience that made you feel like you should "Pay It Forward" (Thanks Bluesbassman)

[WillParkinson]

Bluesbassman told of an experience here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018148719

It got me thinking about my own experience.

When I was a very young kid my Aunt (who was about the same age...gramma and grampa were prolific) and I went to the library. Afterward we stopped at the George Webb's across the street to get something to eat. We didn't have much money and we were going to split something. We sat at the counter. The waitress came over and asked what we wanted. We placed a small order and she left. A few minutes later she returned with food and drink. I tried to explain to her that we didn't order that and couldn't pay for it and she told me that the people around us had bought us food. This was 40 years ago and it is still one of my most vivid, and beloved, memories. I've tried many times in my life to 'pay it forward' in a variety of ways.

Do you have any experiences like that?

[grntuscarora]

1. Parent's worst nightmare.

Back in 1991, my toddler disappeared in a busy shopping mall. I had turned to pay for an item and when I looked down, she was gone. I raced through the store, calling, only to realize that she must've gone out into the main mall area. I tore out of the store, only to stop cold because I had no idea which way to run, right or left. No security people in sight either. An elderly woman walking toward me hustled up and she could tell by the look on my face something was amiss. I asked if she'd seen a toddler and she said "She's by the fountains at the end of the mall. I was just going to get security." As I started sprinting for the fountains I heard her holler, "My husband is keeping an eye on her." Sure enough, the kid was at the fountains, with an elderly gentleman carefully observing from a distance.

I've thought of those two people from time to time over the years, and will always be grateful to them for being concerned for the safety of my kid when I screwed up.

[pipi_k]

2. OMG

I got chills when I read your post.

I'm so glad everything turned out OK.

[HopeHoops]

3. I always tried to help disabled drivers. I had a revolving yellow light and a CB to call for help.

I did that since almost the time I got my license. I helped a lot of people over the years.

Later in my young-adulthood, I ran out of gas - in the middle of the lane. Several cars went by honking even though I was flagging for help, including an open-top Jeep with five very capable young men in it. Finally, two elderly ladies stopped and helped me push my 4,000 lb car onto the curb. I walked to get gas, but I couldn't have just left her there in the middle of the road.

[DFW]

4. Eleven years ago, my wife was diagnosed with cancer.

Even though, as a German citizen, she didn't have to pay a cent for her operations, chemo, radiation or rehab spa, I've been contributing to cancer research ever since.

Both my parents and ALL their siblings had it, and one of my cousins died of it over ten years ago, so I figure for me, it's not "if," but "when."

[frogmarch]

5. Years ago my daughter

and her lab mix dog, Quark, who lived in Denver, came to visit her dad and me in Ft. Laramie, WY. It was Easter weekend. On the way home at around noon on Easter, her car had mechanical trouble, and she and Quark were stranded alongside the highway in the middle of nowhere. It was bitterly cold and sputtering snow, and the wind was howling. Vehicle after vehicle, including highway patrol cars, passed her by without offering to help her. Finally, a carload of “happy,singing Christians,” as she called them, on their way home from an Easter church service, stopped for her and took her and Quark to a service station in the next town, 20 miles or so down the road.. On the way, they offered her coffee and food, and they gave Quark water and half a roast beef sandwich. They also wrapped them both up in warm blankets. The happy Christians stayed with my daughter and Quark until they left in the tow truck to get her car.

She tried to pay her rescuers, but they refused, and asked that instead of paying them, she help someone else in need. My daughter, like me, is an atheist, but she deeply appreciated their generous act of kindness. I do too.

[turtlerescue1]

6. Have been sent too many good Samaritans...

likely my Creator....

In a fool move from Mpls to Ark, realized that I had leaped from the skillet into a blazing fire. Knew no one but my nephew who was weirded out on drugs(that he said he wasn't using), had no idea of the lay of the area, no idea where to go for help. Called a friend in MN, she wired me enough money to move and settle without the insanity and threat of physical abuse.

Later when with a dual restraining order, went back to try and move what little of the stuff I left MN with existed, had no way, had only certain hours to do this. A couple from Jehovah's Witnesses moved all of me and also kept me alert and stable.

When my nephew decided to say I was mentally ill, and that the only reason I wasn't institutionalized was because I wouldn't give up my dogs. Remember I knew NO ONE well,
and vice versa. Went to the MH clinic and told them what was up, THEY sent someone to the Court date with me, made a ton of difference.

When the lemon car I bought after the truck finally died(20 years old)- it was the "dealer's" cash cow. I couldn't afford his payments and the repairs-repeatedly. I had no idea what I would do when with police standby I returned the vehicle to the guy. Had no idea how I would survive with no vehicle this far back in the woods, a lady I barely knew
loaned me the money for the vehicle I now drive, and on terms I could afford to pay. The "dealer" since resold it to another person, who also let him have it back.

I've more reasons than most to pay it forward, be it cash or caring.

That's only three years worth of a blessing coming out of a dismal situation.

For all the evil, there is an astounding amount of good people who are brave enough to care.

[bl968]

7. No one should ever go hungry

I do this all the time! If I have money and someone is hungry I will feed them, sometimes even if they don't ask. It may not be 5 star dining but it will be filling.